Via an email exchange Sunday evening, Ward 5 Councilman John DelGiudice informed a Warwick Beacon reporter that he will not be seeking a fifth term.

During a brief phone interview yesterday, he said the prime reasons he decided not to run are the expansion of his business, JPS Freight Service, Inc., which he started in 1995, as well as his desire to spend more time with his loved ones, especially his son, David, and his wife of nearly 20 years, Maryann.

“I recently picked up some new accounts, which demand more and more of my time,” he said yesterday morning. “I need to focus more on growing my business and I’ve been wanting to spend more time with my family, too. My son will be turning 12 in September and we’re always doing a lot of stuff together.”

DelGiudice, who has served as Ward 5 councilman for four consecutive terms and a total of seven and a half years, said he has cherished his time on the council. His favorite part of serving the city of Warwick, he said, was working with the residents of the ward and helping to resolve their problems, big or small.

DelGiudice also said he is proud of the fact that he has voted to amend the mayor’s budget every year, which resulted in lower than proposed taxes. Further, he said helping to re-open Rocky Point was another highpoint.

“It was a great day for the ward, the city and the state, to finally see that abandoned property be put back to good use,” he said. “The citizens were able to get back in there and enjoy one of the most beautiful views in our state.”

With his remaining time on the council, DelGiudice is looking forward to getting the Meadowview bicycle path completed, as well as seeing flagpole-style cell towers come to fruition. The cell phone towers, which would be on leased city property, DelGiudice said, have the potential of reducing the taxpayers’ burden by more than $1 million annually.

“I would like to thank all of the people who have supported me over the years, and a special thanks to all of the city employees who have assisted me in helping the residents of Ward 5,” he said. “I love politics. I grew up with it in my family and I enjoy it, but there are other things I enjoy, as well. It’s time to move on to some of those.”

When asked what he thinks his late father, John, who also served as Ward 5 councilman in the past, would say of his accomplishments, DelGiudice said, “I think he would be very proud.”

DelGiudice could not say whom he would support as a successor at this time.